Has there ever been a Soul Jazz release in the last few years that doesn’t immediately appeal? The latest inspired double pack from the label is a retrospective of Chicago house in a period where things were kicking off for the acid house movement. They present these tracks with a real sense of the period, with a graphic novel, a postcard set and some appropriately bonkers artwork. The music itself, freshly remastered, is an assault on the ears – but in a good way, as the squiggles and treble-heavy percussion take hold. The music here feels like it’s at a crossroads, with some of the ‘80s beats clinging on behind the new synth sounds that spray all over the place in tracks like Phuture’s ‘Slam’. Elsewhere the inhibitions are completely lost by James Jack Rabbit Martin’s ‘Rabbit Trax’, while Cool McCool’s ‘World Turns Around’, the Housemaster Boyz’ ‘House Nation’ and the ubiquitous but still wonderful Mr Fingers track ‘Can You Feel It’ are on the cooler side. There are three other Mr Fingers numbers here – we get the toughened up ‘Ecstasy’ – with a bass drum that lasts about half a second! – the excellent ‘Washing Machine’ and the far out bleeps of ‘Juice’.
5 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
